GUM RECESSION & PINHOLE TECHNIQUE™
Bring Life Back to Your Smile with the Best Periodontists and Modern Technology!
A BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENT FOR GUM RECESSION
Have you noticed that you have lost some gum tissues? It is not your imagination. Receding gums (gingival recession) are an unfortunate symptom of periodontal disease and can be the result of many other factors and traumas such as crooked teeth, bruxism, or overly aggressive tooth brushing. When recession of the gingiva occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. Gum recession causes the tooth root to be exposed and often results in root sensitivity to hot and cold foods as well as unsightly appearance of the gum and tooth, which ultimately leads to root caries and gouging.
While restoring your receding gums may not strike you as critical to your health, your gums do provide you with a barrier to infection and decay that should be repaired by gum grafting as soon as possible for optimal oral and overall health. Gum grafting will cover the exposed roots to protect them from decay, help reduce tooth sensitivity, and improve the aesthetics of your smile. Whether you have a gum graft to improve function or aesthetics, you’ll probably receive the benefits of a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health.
When significant gum recession is a problem and reaches the mucosa, gum reconstruction using grafting techniques at Aria Dental with our board-certified periodontists is your best option to achieve your new beautiful smile. We invite you to call us (949) 364-9600 or email Aria Dental to book your consultation appointment.
GUM RECESSION & GUM GRAFTING
Gum Recession
Gum recession refers to the loss of the gum tissue along the gum line. This can occur as a result of periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), crooked or misaligned teeth, the natural aging process, abrasive habits when it comes to brushing or flossing the teeth.
When gingivitis goes untreated, gum disease (also called periodontitis) will cause gums to pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets where bacteria can grow and damage the bone that supports the teeth. Gums can also shrink back from the teeth, making the teeth look longer. Teeth may then become loose, fall out, or have to be pulled out by a dentist.
Do You Have Gum Recession?
Gum recession does not happen overnight. You may not even notice that your gums have receded, as it is a very slow, gradual process. However, without a gum tissue graft, recession can have a detrimental effect on the health and function of your teeth. If you have been diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontal disease, it is important to notice if:
- You have sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, or even to sweet, spicy, or sour foods
- Your teeth appear longer than normal
- Spaces between your teeth seem to grow
- The roots of your teeth begin to show
Why Should Gum Recession Be Taken Seriously?
When gum recession occurs, the root structure of the tooth becomes exposed. This means that tooth decay and other problems can affect the teeth along the gum line and beneath it. Since healthy gums are essential for a healthy mouth, getting gum recession treated is important for lasting dental wellness.
Before & After of Gum Grafting
REASONS for Gum Recession
Every case of gum recession is slightly different, thus, there are various treatments available. The nature of the problems which originated recession needs to be addressed first.
- Gum Disease - The most common cause of gum recession is a bacterial infection called periodontal (gum) disease that most often arises from poor hygiene which led to the formation of plaque (a thin film of bacteria). The plaque, calculus, or tartar buildup causes the gum to pull away from the teeth.
- Genetic - The thickness of your gum tissues is a genetic trait you inherit from your parents. People born with thinner gums tend to be more susceptible to recession through toothbrush abrasion, wear, or injury. If you have thinner tissues, you’ll need to be diligent about oral hygiene and dental visits and pay close attention to your gum health.
- Tooth Eruption - Teeth normally erupt from the center of a bony housing that protects the root. If a tooth erupts or moves outside of this housing, it can expose the root and cause little to no gum tissue around the tooth. Moving the tooth orthodontically to its proper position could help thicken gum tissue and make them more resistant to recession.
- Aggressive Hygiene - While hard scrubbing may work with other cleaning activities, it’s the wrong approach for cleaning teeth. Too much force applied while brushing can eventually result in gum damage that leads to recession and tooth wear. So, “Easy does it”: Let the gentle, mechanical action of the toothbrush bristles and toothpaste abrasives do the work of plaque removal.
Periodontal (Gum) Treatments
LANAP® Laser Periodontal Therapy
Ozone / Oxygen Therapy
Laser Dentistry
TREATMENTS FOR GUM RECESSION
After addressing the cause of the gingival recession, two excellent procedures can be performed by a periodontist to restore the natural symmetry of the gum and make the smile aesthetically more beautiful.
- Pinhole Surgical Technique™ (PST)
- Connective Tisue Grafting (CTG)
What Is the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique™ (PST)?
The Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique™ is a minimally invasive option for treating gum recession. Our periodontist who is certified in Pinhole Surgical Technique uses specialized instruments to make a small hole in your gum and add collagen materials which stabilizes the area of gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting techniques, this new method of PST™ is simple, scalpel-free, and suture-free procedure. PST™ was developed and patented by John Chao, D.D.S.
How Does the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique Differ from Traditional Gum Grafting?
Traditional gum recession treatments involve the use of donor tissue or soft-tissue grafts in order to rebuild the gum line. This soft tissue would be sutured in place and would join with existing gum tissue as it healed.
While this traditional grafting treatment is effective, comparable results with better patient experience can be achieved through the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique™.
CONNECTIVE TISSUE GRAFTING (CTG)
Gingival grafts, also known as gum grafting, is a common periodontal procedure performed by an American Board-Certified Periodontics. Although it sounds frightening, the procedure is commonly performed with excellent results.
BENEFITS OF GINGIVAL GRAFTING
Gum grafting is a common periodontal procedure. Although it sounds frightening, the procedure is commonly performed with excellent results. The major benefits are:
- Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
- Esthetic Root Coverage
- Improve Gum Health
- Prevent Root Decay
- Balance the Smile
- Prevent Further Recession & Bone Loss
BENEFITS OF PINHOLE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE™
Non-Invasive
Instant Improvement
Incision and Suture-Free
No Scalpels or Blades
No Donor Tissue Needed
Excellent, Natural-Looking, Long-Lasting Results.
One Visit for Multiple Areas
Most Common Types of Gum Grafting:
A gum graft also known as gingival graft or periodontal plastic surgery is a collective name for surgical periodontal procedures that aim to cover an exposed tooth root surface with grafted oral tissue. The most common type of gum grafting is:
- Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft – This procedure is commonly used to treat and cover exposed roots. During the procedure, a flap of skin at the palate is removed for access to tissue under flap called subepithelial connective tissue (graft tissue). Then subepithelial connective tissue is relocated and stitched to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root and the flap is stitched back down on the palate.
- Free Gingival Graft – This procedure is often used to thicken gum tissue. A layer of tissue is removed directly from the palate or another donor surface without making a flap and attached to the area affected by gum recession. This method is used mostly in people who have thin gum and need additional tissue to enlarge the gum. Both gum and graft side will heal without any permanent damage.
- Acellular Dermal Matrix Allograft – This procedure is commonly used to cover exposed root by using medically processed and donated human tissue for the graft.
- Pinhole Surgical TechniqueTM (PST) – The Pinhole Surgical TechniqueTM corrects receding gum but instead of transferring tissue, it utilizes the gum tissue at the treatment site by loosening the tissue that holds your gum tissue above a single tooth and gently lowering it to cover an exposed root. Thus, no scalpels or stitches needed.